Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust
  • Latest news

    14 May 2026

    MSc Student to Help with BRE 365 Soakaway Project

    At Ruddlesden geotechnical, we often provide work experience to university students over the summer. This pleases both parties, as it provides them with invaluable industrial experience and a bit of pocket money, and helps us cover staff holidays, as well acting as an extended job interview, should a suitable vacancy arise in the future.This summer, we are particularly looking forward to welcoming Bailey, from the University of Portsmouth, who will be doing his MSc dissertation with us. He will be working and extending on an on-going project of ours. He will be reviewing all of our soakaway testing data and correlating this with the published geology, and then asking the question, and potentially providing the answer: does BRE soakaway testing need to be carried out in certain geologies?We have been reliably informed that he is a GIS whizz and are hopeful that he is what the project needs to take it to the next level.

    MSc Student to Help with BRE 365 Soakaway Project
    MSc Student to Help with BRE 365 Soakaway Project
  • Recent projects

    Slope Stability Assessment at Holiday Park, Dorset

    It was proposed to locate several holiday lodges on the bank of a lake at a holiday park in Dorset. Ruddlesden’s Phase 1 geotechnical assessment indicated that the bank was likely remnant from historical quarrying works and that it was likely to comprise re-worked natural soils (made ground). As part of a geotechnical investigation of the site, slope stability modelling was undertaken to ascertain the effect the proposed lodges would have on the bank’s stability. The stability modelling indicated that the placement of the lodges would likely lead to instability of the bank in the long term. It was recommended that the lodges be relocated, their foundations be sited below the posturized slip-surface, the existing bank material be excavated and replaced with engineered fill, or the bank be retained, to mitigate the risk of landslip.

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  • Recent projects

    Water Supply Pipe Assessment for Residential Development

    Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to undertake a preliminary site assessment report for water supply pipe selection at a proposed residential development site in North Devon. The desk study indicated that the site had had no previous development and had not been used for the storage of fuels or chemicals. The report, which was undertaken in accordance with UKWIR guidance, concluded that no special requirements were required for water supply pipes at this site.

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